WINTER HAVEN — Governor Ron DeSantis signed five public safety bills targeting drug trafficking, criminal gang activity, and repeat violent offenders, expanding law enforcement tools in a state that has recorded a 50-year low in crime during his administration.
“Today, I was proud to sign five bills to enhance public safety and support law enforcement,” said Governor DeSantis. “These bills crack down on dangerous drugs, strengthen oversight of repeat offenders, disrupt criminal gangs, support law enforcement, and ensure that violent criminals face serious consequences. Florida is the law and order state, and our commitment to holding criminals accountable and keeping our streets safe forms the foundation for our state’s continued success.”
The package includes SB 432, which establishes trafficking penalties for xylazine — the veterinary sedative known as “tranq” that has increasingly contaminated the illicit drug supply — and strengthens penalties for criminals who market dangerous substances to children. The bill also includes “Meg’s Law,” addressing the misuse of nitrous oxide. HB 429 modernizes Florida’s criminal gang statutes by recognizing online admissions, social media activity, and other contemporary indicators of gang affiliation when establishing gang involvement for criminal prosecutions.
SB 156, named the Officer Jason Raynor Act, strengthens protections for law enforcement officers and enhances penalties for violent offenses committed against them. Officer Jason Raynor was killed in the line of duty while serving the Daytona Beach community. SB 436 increases penalties for repeat violent offenders, expands felony enhancement provisions for battery offenses, and strengthens consequences for offenders who commit violent crimes against law enforcement officers after release from prison. SB 1332 strengthens Florida’s Career Offender Registration Act by requiring in-person registration and enhanced reporting requirements, improving information sharing among law enforcement agencies, and increasing accountability for noncompliance.
Attorney General James Uthmeier framed the legislation as part of a broader strategy. “Keeping dangerous predators and drugs away from our kids is common sense, and Florida leads the nation in passing common-sense policies,” Uthmeier said. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for providing our prosecutors with the tools they need to push our historic crime lows down even further and keep Florida the best state in the nation to raise a family.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said the bills give officers concrete new authorities. “The bills signed today send a clear message, Governor DeSantis, the Cabinet, and legislators stand firmly in protecting the great state of Florida,” Glass said. “These new laws will strengthen our state, give law enforcement additional tools they need to confront criminals, and ensure the safety of our citizens and the millions of visitors who rely on Florida to remain a secure place to live, work, and travel.”
Since taking office, DeSantis has prohibited local governments from defunding police departments, strengthened penalties for crimes committed against law enforcement officers, increased officer pay, expanded recruitment incentives, and provided more than 10,000 law enforcement recruitment bonuses. The five bills now head to the Secretary of State’s office for enrollment and will take effect upon their designated statutory dates.